2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Overview & Take a look at Drive : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

The Volkswagen Jetta has lengthy been a notable mainstream compact sedan however not too long ago has gone the best way of mixing into the background with different comparable sedans because the crossover/SUV section has taken over the foreground. With that, Volkswagen makes an attempt to maintain the Jetta related with it receiving a refresh for the 2025 mannequin 12 months.

This week, I acquired my fingers on the 2025 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn, the performance-oriented model of the German sedan that solely comes within the one Autobahn trim. The foremost updates for the mannequin 12 months refreshing embody a revised entrance fascia and rear bumper, a transforming of some inside parts, and an improve of a normal 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Furthermore, Volkswagen makes an attempt to make a play on the seems of the Jetta GLI with new colours like my check car’s engaging Monument Grey paint. Different touches embody the crimson trim within the decrease entrance splitter and red-painted brake calipers. In any other case, the Jetta GLI actually doesn’t tip the dimensions of being in-your-face styling-wise, although it’s a decent-looking and nearly contemporary-looking car.

Powering the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque directed to the entrance wheels by means of a 7-speed dual-clutch computerized DSG (direct-shift gearbox) transmission. The powertrain feels that it has way more energy than on paper and has a pleasant rising sound should you enact the Sport drive mode or arrange the Customized mode to have a Sport setting for the engine. Mixed with the quick-shifting DSG transmission, the engine is keen to put down first rate energy and infrequently breaks the all-season tires free the place they beg for traction should you disable the traction management. Right here, whereas within the full Sport mode, you possibly can enact a launch management the place the transmission slips its automated clutch, lights up the entrance wheels, and even barks into second gear at instances. Doing such on a perfect floor will get you as much as 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

The Jetta GLI handles itself nicely, however many of the dealing with is on the mercy of the struggling Hankook all-season tires, that are the one ones supplied by the manufacturing facility. The stability for a entrance wheel-drive car is sweet as is its trip high quality due to the adaptive dampers which are adjustable by means of the drive modes. The consolation mode is even good because it feels simply at residence on again roads at freeway speeds absorbing street imperfections however not upsetting the general stability of the physique.

Gas financial system is first rate for the way the Jetta GLI feels having a strong quantity of energy, usually getting its EPA estimates in the actual world of 26 mpg metropolis, 36 mpg freeway, and 29 mpg mixed.

There’s quite a bit to understand within the new Jetta GLI, however there’s additionally a number of room for enchancment, which might begin with a greater number of tires to essentially deliver out the qualities of the Jetta GLI as a result of that German-engineered drivetrain is begging for just a bit extra to work with aside from nonetheless having the choice of a 6-speed guide transmission.

The inside of the brand new 2025 Volkswagen Jetta has been refreshed considerably, and the welcoming cabin continues to be very adjustable in seating positions. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless a number of arduous plastic surfaces that preserve it from feeling premium inside. The entrance seats supply heating and air flow on the Jetta GLI, and there’s a heated steering wheel. General, the inside proves to be simple for using its swap gear, providing knobs and buttons for the dual-zone computerized local weather management and likewise having knobs for quantity and audio station changes. The brand new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unknit can also be simple in its use and has a brief studying curve. Many of the system is acquainted, however now, it’s Google-based and has wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The wi-fi smartphone charging pad is handy, and the correct rubber stops preserve our machine in place.

The again seats have a great quantity of area however lack any local weather vents. The cargo room seems massive however is available in round 14 cubic ft of area.

Pricing for the brand new VW Jetta GLI involves proper at $35K, which isn’t all that unhealthy of a deal for all that you just get. To not point out, the DSG transmission is a no-cost choice over the 6-speed guide model.